Are Social Networks Creating Political Polarization?

Social networks allow us to engage with almost any viewpoint from around the world. But so often we choose to push away other opinions in favor of what we already know, or wish to believe.

social networks

Politics is all over our social networks. Political leanings can create echo chambers on Twitter, people can’t see themselves having political conversations without Facebook, and online dating may be contributing to the political polarization of the country. Users may plant a flag on either side of the political divide, but the effects are more wide ranging than they first appear.

A study from the Pew Research Internet Project attempts to create a model for mapping different types of Internet communities on Twitter.

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